Pappas said he dropped his complaints after the Tribune published an article about the issue Saturday.

"I think it would be better to let it go," Pappas said Thursday. "When I initially filed the charges, I thought it was discrimination, but I would rather let the community decide what is in its best interests."

State officials confirmed that the complaints had been dropped. Investigators had begun looking into at least one of the complaints to see if it violated the Illinois Human Rights Act, which prohibits sex discrimination in public places such as bars.

According to his complaint against Buzz, Pappas said women were charged $10 at the door, compared with $15 for men. He also said he had to pay $20 to enter the White Star, while women paid $10.